Feast of Christ the King

This Weekend, we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. As we mark this feast, I will point out four ways that someone is made king, at least in the ancient world: Inheritance, bloodline, war, and popular demand. Christ is the Son of God, and was given all kingship by God the Father, and the time is coming when He will return this in a final act (according to Revelation) of submission to the Father. Jesus is the Incarnate Son, born in the line of King David, and becomes the new King of Judah. Through His death on the Cross, he defeated the sin and death, and became ruler of life. But most importantly, though, through our submission to Him as the benevolent king, we proclaim Him as our only King.

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary time

As we draw closer to the end of the Church year, our readings help to remind us that Christ is not only in control, but that He will return. While He prophecies that the temple will be destroyed and that we who are following will be persecuted, even at times by family. We are to be vigilant and prepared, but not preparing our defense as much as to rely on the Holy Spirit to give us the words. A haunting question is how can we know what we will be asked to say unless we have heard and heeded the Voice of God already.

On The Ordination of Males Alone

Dr. Lawrence J. Welch has a great article posted on the Catholic Exchange site. While he is writing in response to the attempted ordination of women by a self-identified woman Catholic Bishop, it is a terse and concise article on the Church's constant and unchangeable doctrine which teaches only males can be validly ordained. It is worth a read...

In the past, when I have been asked (I believe from a point of the questioner really desiring to understand the Church's teaching), I have listed several brief reasons:

1. Jesus Christ chose only men continue to be his apostles. Jesus 'violated' social norms in speaking with women, lepers, tax collectors, and others, so if He wished to, He would have been free to break any suggested norms.

2. There is a spousal nature of Christ to the Church. To continue His saving ministry to all generations, He established the priesthood. Male priests keep this spousal nature.

3. The priesthood is not a right or privilege. Rather, it is a duty to be configured to the person of Jesus Christ in such a way that it is whole and entire.

4. When a man is ordained, he is configured especially to represent Christ in the celebration of the sacraments. As Christ was male, a male priest more easily signifies this.

5. There are certain things that those men cannot do that women can, and vice versus. This is not a sexist statement but one of biology. Women can give birth in the natural order, for example. It is fully appropriate that a male priesthood is is the chosen instrument to bring about our being 'born again' which is of the supernatural order.

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Sadducees were a sect of Jews who rejected all but the Torah (the first 5 books of the Bible) as well as all unseen realities: Angels and the Resurrection from the dead being primary. They set up an improbable situation for Jesus to address. They are using a classic style of reducing everything to the absurd - this poor women would be married to all seven brothers. But Jesus responds by reminding them that Heaven (the place of the Resurrected) is not a matter like this world - there is no birth there. There is no marriage, therefore. He goes on to show the absurdity of their theological suppositions. Moses did not identify with God as the God who "was" but rather "is" the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. As a lot, it is easy to assume that the Sadducees would easily fall into a certain nihilism - that there is nothing beyond this world and the only reason to follow the Law (Torah) in this life is so that God would bless in this life. But if there is a Resurrection, every choice should be affected by our ultimate goal of heaven.

The story of the seven brothers and their mother from 2 Maccabees is a moving account of eight people who understood that to give in to breaking the covenant in order to receive an extension of their lives here on earth was not worth anything when considering the Resurrection. Each one went to his death, aware that God is the giver of life and that He would raise them again. The Mother (which we do not hear of in today's reading), gives a moving exhortation to the last son, after witnessing the murder of her other sons for not eating pork. She tells him that she knows that he is a gift from God, and that he should be strong and do the right thing. He, too, goes to his death.

In our world today, we face much practical 'Sadduceeism' - we proclaims that reality of heaven and Resurrection, but fail to let it influence our actions. But if we judge our actions in light of our final goal, we will live aware that our moral choices have eternal consequences. In discerning our vocations, we should ask what does God want, how am I to live in this world for the next?

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Zacchaeus was a short man, and a man accustomed to being looked down upon. As a tax collector, he was hated and despised. Thinking he knew his standing, he knows that he will not be able to see Jesus with the great crowds. This grown man climbs a tree. But Jesus sees him, and calls him. This is perhaps the first time anyone has looked up at him.

The crowds grow wild - how dare Jesus go to his house! But Zacchaeus stands his ground, and vows to change his life - that half of his possessions will be given to the poor and if - note this "if" - he has defrauded anyone - he will pay back that person back four-fold. His life is radically changed and truly the salvation that Christ declares enters his house has been effective in his life.

We, too, could easily let the world look down upon us. But we need to take our stand, strengthened by Christ's look at us. What is our response?

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Pharisee and the Publican could equally be understood as the braggart and the beggar... The pharisee is in front, boasting to God all the good that he has done, and while that in itself is interesting, it is how he refers to himself as the primary source of action and God as a witness. It is all about him.

The Tax Collector (or Publican as some call it), begs for mercy. He is focused on God, open to His mercy. He makes himself small, and even keeps distant, not out of fear, but out of humility.

Jesus tells the parable to demonstrate the proper attitude of His followers. Those no exalt themselves leave little room for the All-powerful God to save them. Those who humble themselves, who throw themselves on the mercy of God are profoundly open to Him and His salvation.

In discerning one's vocation, we must become humble enough to allow God to speak and work. By telling God what we want, what we are good at, is on the verge of bragging. By asking God to help us, we submit to His power and can hear Him calling.

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

We are asked to be persistent in prayer, not because God does not hear or is unjust, but to show our faith. The persistent widow in the parable we hear has her request heard not because of the goodness of the judge (who had little) but by being persistent. God is good, just, and loving - how much more will He respond.

Just as Moses grew tired during the battle, so too do we. Aaron and Hur provide the back up for him - they allow him to sit and they hold his arms aloft. At times, when we are worn by our praying, we should invite others to help us, to hold our arms in a spiritual way.

Even still, we can grow weary by our distractions. In my prayer, I find the distractions fall into three categories: Grocery Lists, To Do Lists, and Injury lists. With the grocery lists, I find my mind wandering to all the things I need or want. I could easily fill out a long list, but find the best way to deal with these distractions is to acknowledge them and set them behind me. The To Do lists things are more tempting - if I am not in a right place, I could easily get up and do them immediately. I find it best to ask God for the grace (and strength and stamina) to deal with them after my prayer. The Injury list, though, is the most destructive. With these distractions, I find my mind wandering to all the past hurts and people who have caused them, as well as the injuries I have caused others. With the perceived injuries, it is dangerously easy to allow them to take over and suddenly find myself brooding over them and to the brink of cursing. Instead, I find I ned to pray over the hurts, to invite Christ into them and to bring healing. When a person comes to mind, prayer for the individual, even if it is for the ability to forgive, brings my mind back to prayer.

Satan would love us to grow weary, to follow the distractions, and cease our prayer. God, however, constantly invites us back into the prayer. But we must do our part - to pray, and to keep faith.